DACCA LUNATIC ASYLUM. 61
Insanity among
tea coolies.
In Sylhet there are only 821 tea coolies, and during the past five years only two coolies
have come from that district. During the same period seven coolies out of 19 admissions have
been sent from Cachar, and from Assam 13 of 66, or almost one-fifth of the whole number.
Caste of admis-
sions Kayasths.
13. Sixty-six Hindu males were admitted into the asylum during 1872. Sixteen or
one-fourth were Kayasths. This is a large proportion; but it must be recollected that in
Eastern Bengal, besides the educated and intelligent Kayasths, there is a very large class called
Ghulam Kayasths, the offspring of slaves who perform many menial duties.
Brahmins, Chan-
dals.
Only five Brahmins were admitted, of whom three were of Hindustani tribes. The most
numerous Hindu agricultural race in Eastern Bengal is undoubtedly the Chandal. Yet only
six men belonged to it.
Of the 16 Hindu females, three were Boistubis (Vaishnuvis), two Assamese, and one
belonged to each of the following castes:—Ganak Brahmin, Sonar, Karmokar, Teli, &c., &c.
Trades and occu-
pations.
* See General Statement
No. 6.
14. Table No. 6* shows the trades and occupations of those admitted during the year.
Agricultural laborers are, as usual, the most numerous; then come
domestic servants, tea coolies, fishermen, and constables.
Classification of
occupations of lu-
natics admitted
during 1868-72.
15. I have drawn up a table after a well-known English model, which shows at a glance
from what classes of natives insane persons most usually come. The period taken is from
1868-72. During these five years 397 male and female lunatics were admitted.
|
Of persons employed in out-door occupations,— |
|
|
cultivators, tea coolies, boatmen, fishermen, &c., there were ... |
221 |
|
Of members of the educated professions,— |
|
|
mukhtears, pundits, &c. ... ... ... ... |
17 |
|
Of Brahmins ... ... ... ... |
10 |
|
Of persons engaged in commerce ... ... ... |
5 |
|
In-door manufacturers.— |
|
|
(a.) Sedentary— |
|
|
Shop-keepers, weavers, tailors, &c. ... ... ... ... |
31 |
|
(b.) Non-sedentary— |
|
|
Washermen, tanners, goldsmiths, carpenters, bakers, &c. ... ... |
27 |
|
Landholders ... ... ... ... ... |
4 |
|
Servants— |
|
|
(a.) Public—Constables, peons, &c. ... ... ... |
11 |
|
(b.) Private—Cooks, bearers, &c. ... ... ... |
32 |
|
Without occupation.— |
|
|
Beggars, bairagis, &c. ... ... ... ... |
26 |
|
Unknown occupation ... ... ... ... |
13 |
|
Total ... |
397 |
Brahmins.
Brahmins have been separately returned. As a class they have acquired some education,
but the majority are untaught.
Religious men-
dicants.
16. It is a noteworthy fact that in this table there is no religious mendicant returned
but from among the Bairagis, the Ramavats and Brahmachargis, who live doing little else
but smoking ganjah, are never admitted into this asylum. This curious fact will be again
referred to under the head of causes of insanity.
P